November 2019 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Anthropogenic impact on non migratory whales
by jacopo di clemente 28 Nov '19

28 Nov '19

Dear MARMAMers, for a project on Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCoD) on baleen whales, we are looking to involve researchers worldwide to share specific data in order to parameterize a PCoD model originally developed for harbour porpoises (DEPONS; https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12563) The original model simulates how the dynamics of a resident population can be affected by pile driving noise, but it can be implemented on populations of whales influenced by different kinds of anthropogenic disturbances. Recently, it is emerging that not all the populations of baleen whales segregate their time between feeding and breeding grounds, and some of them remain in the same hotspot with little or no movement between seasons, potentially relying on the same food sources throughout the year. Therefore, we are now looking to use this model to understand how non-migratory baleen whales deal with anthropogenic disturbances year round. We are specifically looking for: Acoustic data: data on the kinds of noise that the species in question respond to, ideally source levels and locations of the sound sources on these frequencies. Movement data: Argos tagging data, GPS data of surfacing animals. Environmental data: as local carrying capacity emerges from competition for food, a food distribution map must be available. For species known to forage continuously, species distribution maps may be used as a proxy. Life history data: data on timing and probability of giving birth and other life history parameters are required from literature. In areas where entanglement is a critical issue, information on net length and soak time can be included in the model too. In areas where the ship strike risk needs to be modelled, AIS data of the boat fleet - together with the shipping noise level and the vocalization of the whales - can be very useful. This request is part of a multi-tool approach to understanding whale ecology under anthropogenic pressures. We encourage all researchers working with a similar dataset - and those interested in understanding the impact of disturbance on non-migratory baleen whale populations - to contact us at the following email addresses: Jacopo Di Clemente, MSc, prospective PhD student, jacopo.diclemente(a)outlook.com<mailto:jacopo.diclemente@outlook.com> Jacob Nabe-Nielsen, Head of Section for Marine Mammal Research, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, jnn(a)bios.au.dk<mailto:jnn@bios.au.dk> All the best, J. Jacopo Di Clemente - M.Sc. Marine Science Department of Biology - University of Southern Denmark - Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark Vice President Accademia del Leviatano - V.le dell'Astronomia 19 - 00144 - Rome - Italy Phone: +45 93910840 - Skype: habana841 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jacopo_Di_Clemente2

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Vacancy for bioacoustician in UK
by Nathan Merchant (Cefas) 28 Nov '19

28 Nov '19

Dear Colleagues, Cefas is currently advertising a vacancy for a bioacoustician to join our Noise & Bioacoustics team in Lowestoft, UK. Cefas is a UK government agency dedicated to applied marine and freshwater science and research. The deadline for applications is Friday 17 January. Please forward to colleagues who may be interested, and see the vacancy webpage for details of how to apply: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?SID=cGFnZWFjdGlvb… Summary Many aquatic animals use underwater sound to communicate, forage, and navigate, and these important functions are increasingly threatened by underwater noise pollution. Cefas is highly engaged in this scientific area. We undertake field- and desk-based research on the effects of noise on marine mammals, fish and invertebrates, and provide scientific advice to UK Government and regulators on the management of noise-generating activities (e.g. offshore wind farms, seismic surveys). The purpose of this post is to support the growing noise and bioacoustics portfolio at Cefas and to augment the existing skills base of the Noise and Bioacoustics team. You will be expected to provide key input into our noise and bioacoustics studies at all stages, from planning through to presentation and publication. You will further develop analytical methods to determine implications of noise-related disturbance, contribute to impact assessments, and publish the results of your research in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. You will work closely with our principal underwater noise specialist and mentor junior scientists. As an experienced scientist with an enthusiasm for applied research, you will be encouraged to seek new business opportunities in the UK and abroad. Further information on Cefas Noise and Bioacoustics capabilities can be found on the Cefas website (https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/research-advice-and-consultancy/underwater…) and in our Capability Statement (https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/research-advice-and-consultancy/underwater…) Kind regards, Nathan Dr Nathan Merchant Principal Scientist, Noise & Bioacoustics Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK Tel: +44(0) 1502 527780 | Mob: +44 (0) 7789 651086 Email: nathan.merchant(a)cefas.co.uk<mailto:nathan.merchant@cefas.co.uk> [cid:image001.png@01D5A5FB.33D9E530] https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=XPctSoUAAAAJ&hl=en https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/research-advice-and-consultancy/underwater… https://www.cefas.co.uk/media/52916/noise-bioacoustics.pdf Follow us on: [cid:image001.gif@01D09A11.D21ECDA0]<https://twitter.com/CefasGovUK>[cid:image002.gif@01D09A11.D21ECDA0]<http://www.linkedin.com/company/cefas> Dr Nathan Merchant Honorary Lecturer School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ [UEA-logo] ________________________________ This email and any attachments are intended for the named recipient only. Its unauthorised use, distribution, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you have received it in error, please destroy all copies and notify the sender. In messages of a non-business nature, the views and opinions expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cefas. Communications on Cefas' computer systems may be monitored and/or recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. All messages sent and received by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science may be monitored in line with relevant UK legislation . <https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/centre-for-environment-fisherie…>

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New Books On Using GIS In Biological Research: 'An Introduction To Integrating QGIS And R For Spatial Analysis' and 'An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) Using QGIS And R'
by Colin D. MacLeod 28 Nov '19

28 Nov '19

GIS In Ecology is pleased to announce the publication of two new GIS workbooks specifically aimed at biologists who wish to learn how to use GIS in their research. In the last decade, GIS has become a must-have skill for those wishing to study marine mammals. However, much of the existing training literature is based around commercial GIS software packages, such as ArcGIS and SPSS, that are too expensive for many marine mammalogists, including self-employed MMOs, small environmental consultancies, NGOs, those working on small marine mammal research projects with limited budgets for purchasing software licences and students working at universities who do not have access to commercial software packages. These new GIS books are specifically based around two free-to-use software package, QGIS and R, and provide the training in the types of GIS skills that marine mammalogists need to be able to do on a regular basis, such as making high quality maps for publications, extracting information from environmental data layers, exporting data for statistical analysis and creating species distribution models. Thus, these books will help marine mammalogists develop their analytical skills and to make the most of the data they collect without requiring the purchase of expensive commercial software licences. These new workbooks are: 1. ‘An Introduction To Integrating QGIS And R For Spatial Analysis’ (ISBN: 978-1-909832-52-7; 136 pages; RRP: USD: 29.99; EU: 24.99; GBP: 19.99): This workbook contains five exercises which demonstrate how to integrate QGIS and R to allow you to conduct high quality spatial analyses by accessing and combining the powerful mapping, data layer creation, editing and processing tools from QGIS and the equally powerful analytical tools from R. These exercises are based around data from a real biological field study and include: creating a GIS project to process your data and create a map suitable for publication; creating environmental raster data layers; linking environmental data to biological data and creating graphs from the resulting data set; and running statistical analyses (GLMs and GAMs) to investigate spatial relationships in this combined data set. Working through these exercises will help the user obtain experience in integrating QGIS and R, and provide them with the confidence to apply these skills to their own research. These exercises are presented in the same easy-to-follow flow diagram-based format used in ‘GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates’, and they are accompanied by images which show the user how their spatial analysis project should look as they progress through the exercises. An in-person training course based on this workbook will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 7th - 9th April 2020. For more information on this course, visit http://gisinecology.com/an-introduction-to-integrating-qgis-gis-and-r-for-s… 2. ‘An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) Using QGIS And R’ (ISBN: 978-1-909832-22-0; RRP: ; 150 pages; RRP: USD: 29.99; EU: 24.99; GBP: 19.99): This workbook contains five exercises which will introduce you to the basic spatial processing and analytical techniques required to create a biologically meaningful species distribution model (SDM). Taken together, these exercises allow you to work through an example of an SDM from processing your survey data and making raster data layers to environmental variables, through constructing an SDM, visualising its predicted spatial distribution and validating its predictive ability. Working through these exercises will help the user obtain experience in creating SDM using QGIS and R, and provide them with the confidence to apply these skills to their own research. These exercises are presented in the same easy-to-follow flow diagram-based format used in ‘GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates’, and they are accompanied by images which show the user how their spatial analysis project should look as they progress through the exercises. NOTE: This is an updated version of ‘An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook Three’. An in-person training course based on this workbook will be held in Glasgow, Scotland on the 29th and 30th of January 2020. For more information on this course, visit http://gisinecology.com/an-introduction-to-species-distribution-modelling-i… ================================================================================== GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS In Ecology Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: info(a)GISinEcology.com Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm Books From GIS In Ecology Staff: GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates; RRP: £24.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: £44.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: £19:99 If you wish to purchase these books, visit: http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is unavoidable. ==================================================================================

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Internship in Marine Mammals in Madeira (CETUS Project)
by Anja Badenas 28 Nov '19

28 Nov '19

Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM/ARDITI) is currently opening INTERNSHIPS FOR WINTER and SPRING in Madeira Island (Portugal) The Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM) is a research unit within the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), located in Madeira Island, Portugal. OOM seeks to become a centre of excellence dedicated to research and permanent monitoring of the ocean. This initiative brings together a multidisciplinary scientific community, joining several institutions with the aim of promoting cooperation and resource optimization. http://oom.arditi.pt *OOM/ARDITI is looking for interns to help with our marine mammals’ research project based in Madeira Island, Portugal.* We are currently filling *2 positions* for *February-March *and* 2 positions *for *April-May 2020* Priority will be given to those interns who are available both periods. *Internship Details:* In the Madeira Archipelago, located in Macaronesia (NE Atlantic), 29 species of cetaceans have been recorded. There is a daily ferry boat that conducts trips between the 2 main islands of the archipelago, Madeira and Porto Santo. Interns will be onboard the ferry boat and will be enrolled in data collection through visual surveys 3 days per week. Interns must cover all their accommodation, travel and food expenses. These positions are unpaid but we encourage candidates to seek grants where we can post as host institution. To cover for logistic expenses, there is a monthly fee of 75eur, paid fully upon arrival. Non-European candidates must cover their own insurance expenses. *Internship description:* - Training on monitoring protocol and cetacean identification; - Sea surveys Madeira-Porto Santo; - Educational activities in local schools or to the general public (when possible); - Free time to visit Madeira and Porto Santo; - Accident insurance. Successful applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology or related, be reliable, dedicated, adaptable and patient, as this work is highly weather dependent and requires consecutive days of work at sea. Interns should be independent and proactive. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience at sea. Application deadline is 20th December. If you are interested in interning with OOM/ARDITI, please send a CV and a letter of interest to anja.badenas(a)mare-centre.pt . Thank you, Anja Badenas, MSc OOM-ARDITI-MARE Phone: +351291721246 <+351%20291%20721%20246>

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Presentations welcome at the student AGM during the WMMC in Barcelona
by Rebecca Boys 27 Nov '19

27 Nov '19

Dear marine mammal community, At the upcoming World Marine Mammal Conference, the student committee will be organising a student AGM. Part of the aim of this AGM is to give opportunities for currently available or upcoming positions for students, such as volunteering, internships, thesis projects, Masters and PhD projects. We would like to invite any NGOs, companies and researchers that may have a position they wish to advertise to students to email us with a general description, including any compensation provided to students, such as accommodation or food. We will then provide each of the accepted positions around 5 minutes to present to the student community. We will have time for approximately 8 different positions to be presented and hope to give an overview of opportunities in different areas of the world in line with the conferences global perspective. Please contact us by Monday 2nd December midnight GMT+1 with details of the position and confirm that you will be attending the WMMC in person to present this. Thank you, WMMC student committee ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys Marine Biologist PhD Candidate Coastal Marine Research Group Massey University New Zealand https://www.coastalmarineresearchgroup.com/ https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/m… @RebeccaMBoys European Cetacean Society Student Representative- World Marine Mammal Conference Society of Marine Mammalogy Education Committee Member European Cetacean Society National Contact Person for New Zealand

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New publication: Trophic role of the humpback whale (Megapteranovaeangliae) in the feeding area of Magellan Strait, Chile
by Daniela Haro 27 Nov '19

27 Nov '19

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the paper: Haro, D., P. Sabat, F. Arreguín-Sánchez, S. Neira & J. C. Hernández-Padilla. 2020. Trophic role of the humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) in the feeding area of Magellan Strait, Chile. Ecological Indicators. 109: 105796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105796 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X19307903?dgcid=a… Abstract: The role of marine mammals in ecosystems has been evaluated mainly in species of high trophic level and results indicate that they influence the structure and functioning of biological communities. In this study the trophic role of the humpback whale was analyzed using an ecosystem model of the Francisco Coloane Coastal Marine Protected Area, Magellan Strait. The model was built with the Ecopath with Ecosim software that also allowed quantification of trophic interactions, predation mortality and prey consumption by the whales. Indices of network analysis were calculated and the removal of whales from this ecosystem was simulated. The humpback whale presented an intermediate trophic level of 3.4 and represented the most important predator for lobster krill and euphausiids, explaining 51% and 36% of total mortality in those groups, and the second predator in importance for the Fuegian sprat, after the long-tailed hake. Network analysis indicated that food web organi- zation and development was determined by low trophic levels (i.e. phytoplankton and mesozooplankton), while fish played a major role in the transfer of energy. The removal of humpback whale biomass in the model produced a change in food web structure. This study approaches the trophic role of whales in Chilean waters for the first time, indicating that humpback whales in the Magellan Strait play a role in the maintenance of the ecosystem organization. Please contact me at <daniela.haro.diaz(a)gmail.com> for a PDF copy or questions. -- Dra. Daniela Haro Díaz

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Job Posting - Research Data Coordinator at The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA)
by Tenaya Norris 27 Nov '19

27 Nov '19

Dear Marmam Community, The Marine Mammal Center is recruiting for a Research Data Coordinator<https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/203160/Marine-Mamm…> in the Veterinary Medicine and Science Program. Job Description: The Research Data Coordinator works across multiple programs to promote collaborative and cooperative research and data sharing efforts and improve and maintain database application functionality and data integrity within the Center's animal stranding and medical record system. Specifically, the Research Data Coordinator manages specimen and data requests from internal and external researchers, educators, and other requestors. The Research Data Coordinator also focuses on data coordination and management for the diagnostic and pathology laboratory and research teams. Location: Sausalito, California Hours: Full-time For more details and to apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/203160/Marine-Mamm… Thank you, Tenaya Norris MarineMammalCenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

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New publication on sperm whale changing distribution around the Balearic Islands
by Enrico Pirotta 27 Nov '19

27 Nov '19

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper is now available online: Enrico Pirotta, José María Brotons, Margalida Cerdà, Sanne Bakkers, Luke E. Rendell. 2020. Multi-scale analysis reveals changing distribution patterns and the influence of social structure on the habitat use of an endangered marine predator, the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. Abstract: The habitat use of marine megafauna emerges from the complex interplay between access to patchy and variable food resources and several intrinsic biological factors, such as the interaction with conspecifics and offspring care, resulting in dynamic distribution patterns. Quantifying species' relationships with the underlying environment is further complicated by the scale-dependent nature of these processes. Multi-scale analyses that incorporate aspects of a species' biology and build on large datasets are therefore required to understand long-term distribution and inform appropriate management measures. In this study, we use monitoring data collected over two study periods (2003–2008 and 2012–2018) to assess the habitat use, trend in local occurrence, and change in distribution of sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus, around the Balearic Islands (Spain), one of the few recognised breeding and feeding grounds for the ‘Endangered’ population in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we investigate the differences in the habitat use of single animals and groups, to explore intra-specific niche partitioning in this highly social but behaviourally dimorphic species. Results suggest that overall the occurrence of sperm whales in the area has been increasing over time. Animals were found to associate with distinct bathymetric features, but the mechanisms generating these relationships, and the underlying oceanographic processes within this habitat, remained uncertain. Sperm whale distribution also underwent a significant shift between the two study periods, with an increased occurrence in the Mallorca channel and north of Menorca, which further points towards a dynamic use of the broader bathymetric range preferred around the archipelago. Finally, our analyses highlighted that single animals and groups used areas with different characteristics, with groups preferring deeper, warmer waters characterised by lower sea level anomaly, which resulted in some fine-scale spatial segregation. The results of this study shed light on the mechanisms underpinning the biogeography and complex social system of the species, and support the design of targeted conservation measures in this important breeding and feeding ground. A PDF copy of the paper can be downloaded from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.103169 Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work. Best Regards, Enrico Pirotta

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Volunteer with Cascadia Research Collective
by Sabre Mahaffy 26 Nov '19

26 Nov '19

Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia, Washington is now accepting volunteers for U.S. west coast and Hawaiʻi research for winter, spring and summer 2020! We will be at the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona, Spain (December 9-12) and conducting interviews for winter, spring and summer 2020 volunteer positions. Anyone attending the conference who is interested in volunteering with Cascadia should contact us by December 2nd to arrange an interview. Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit research and education organization founded in 1979. Most of our research is focused on whale and dolphin populations along the west coast of North America and in Hawaiʻi. CRC is currently filling positions for: Winter 2020 (January-March) Spring 2020 (April-June) Summer 2020 (July-September) Volunteer positions are unpaid, office-based positions in Olympia, WA and housing is not provided. International applicants will also be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation. Volunteer Position Details: CRC gives priority to juniors or seniors with a science background who are seeking academic credit as well as those enrolled in (or planning to attend) graduate school in a marine science-related field. A full time commitment (40 hours per week) is preferred. Volunteer positions are generally three months in length, although exceptions can be made depending on the academic calendar of the college or university. Much of CRC’s work involves photo identification, using natural markings unique to each individual to catalog and track individuals over time. This allows us to study association patterns and movements over extended periods of time, revealing information on population structure and social organization. Volunteers will spend a large portion of their time comparing new photographs to those in our existing catalogs, and may additionally be involved in digital image processing and data entry. Additionally, volunteers may have opportunities to participate in Washington state stranding response, which may include beach surveys, data and specimen collection, data entry, and assisting in necropsies of pinnipeds & cetaceans. US West Coast Research: Volunteers will assist staff on our long-term photo-ID studies of baleen whales, including humpback, blue, and gray whales off the US West Coast and the inside waters of Washington state. For more information, see www.cascadiaresearch.org<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org> Hawaiʻi Research: Volunteers will assist staff on our long-term photo-ID studies of a variety of species of odontocetes (e.g., rough-toothed dolphins, false killer whales, beaked whales) found in Hawaiian waters. For more information, see www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii.htm For a full description of the volunteer opportunities available, please visit: www.cascadiaresearch.org/interns.htm Photo identification requires a high degree of focus and attention to detail, and volunteers can expect to spend the majority of their time comparing photographs. Successful applicants should have the following skills: - strong communication skills - focus and attention to detail - willingness to spend long hours in front of a computer - ability to work independently If you are interested in volunteering with Cascadia, please visit our website and send a CV, two professional letters of recommendation, and a letter stating your interest, what you would like gain to from this experience, relevant background experience, the time period you are interested in, the number of hours you can work, and if you would be seeking credit from your college or university. For a US west coast project volunteer position please send the information to: Kiirsten Flynn: kflynn(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:kflynn@cascadiaresearch.org> For Hawaiʻi project volunteer position please send the information to: Sabre Mahaffy: mahaffys(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:mahaffys@cascadiaresearch.org> If you would like to be considered for either, please indicate that in your letter and send to both. If you are going to be at the Barcelona conference check out the presentations Cascadia is involved in at http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/WMMCBarcelona2019 ----------------------------------------- Sabre Mahaffy, M.Sc. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Ave. Olympia, WA 98501 Office 360-943-7325 www.cascadiaresearch.org

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Dr. Gregory D. Bossart - Obituary
by Steve McCulloch 26 Nov '19

26 Nov '19

The marine mammal community has lost another icon and friend to all. Please post on behalf of Dr. Bossart's many colleagues and family. Thank you,-S Stephen D. McCullochPresident, Ocean ExperienceFounder, Protect Wild Dolphins Alliancedolphinsrescue@yahoo.comhttp://www.dolphinrescue1.org

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